Kailub Russell won the Ironman GNCC on a KTM 150. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY KEN HILL/GNCC RACING
Nearly 2300 riders participated in this weekend’s Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville, Indiana, the final round of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series, where Factory FMF/KTM’s Kailub Russell scored his 22nd career victory and ninth win of the season.
Having wrapped up the title two rounds earlier, Russell took the Ironman win on a KTM 150XC two-stroke, a feat that most thought could not be done.
“I want to thank everyone who told me I couldn’t win on a 150, because you gave me the motivation to come here and do my best,” said Russell. “I’m so excited to win on this bike and that it has helped raise a lot of money for Rory Mead. Thank you to everyone who participated in the raffle.”
Russell’s Factory FMF/KTM teammate Charlie Mullins grabbed the early lead in the three-hour race, with Rockstar Energy/WMR KTM’s Ryan Sipes following close behind. However, Mullins would eventually drop off the pace when the wrist that he broke earlier in the year started hurting.
Turning in one of his best rides of the season, Sipes led two laps of the race before Russell took the lead midway into the race.
Near the end of the race, Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Josh Strang would also pass Sipes. The Aussie off-roader was able to solidify his move into the second place position on the final lap but Sipes didn’t let up, putting on a last-minute charge to finish only six seconds behind Strang in the third and final podium position. Strang’s second place finish gives the Aussie a number two ranking heading into next season.
Sipes’ impressive third place finish marked his first career podium finish in his rookie season of GNCC Racing.
Factory Husqvarna’s Andrew Delong finished a solid fourth place overall, with Factory FMF/KTM’s Steward Baylor in fifth, N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Jordan Ashburn in sixth and Moto Vations Suspension/Palmer Motorsports’ Takeshi Koikeda in seventh. N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Paul Whibley finished eighth in the XC1 class, while KTM Support rider Grant Baylor finished ninth in his XC1 debut, followed by Mullins in tenth.
With two-time champion Grant Baylor graduating into the XC1 Pro ranks for the final round, the XC2 Pro Lites podium was up for grabs at the last round of racing, and KR4 Arrive-N-Ride KTM’s Nick Davis took the win ahead of Lane Michael (Hon) and Craig DeLong (Hsq).
XC1 Event Results:
1 Kailub Russell (KTM)
2 Josh Strang (YAM)
3 Ryan Sipes (KTM)
4 Andrew Delong (HSQ)
5 Steward Baylor Jr. (KTM)
6 Jordan Ashburn (YAM)
7 Takeshi Koikeda (HON)
8 Paul Whibley (YAM)
9 Grant Baylor (KTM)
10 Charlie Mullins (KTM)
XC2 Event Results:
11 Nick Davis (KTM)
12 Layne Michael (HON)
13 Craig DeLong (HSQ)
14 Scott Grills (KAW)
15 Sam Evans (KTM)
16 Alex Teagarden (YAM)
17 Mark Heresco (KTM)
18 Ian Blythe (KTM)
19 Lucas Statom (YAM)
20 Mat Herrington (KTM)
